Winter may be here, but it’s never too early to start planning your backyard landscaping for the spring. One of the most challenging landscaping tasks that homeowners find themselves facing is what to do with the area around the pool. We’ve paired up some of our favorite landscaping ideas with different pool shapes to help get the great ideas flowing.

1. Freeform Pools

This flowing style of pool typically resembles a hidden island oasis, making lush, tropical foliage the ideal plants to have around the pool. Ferns and ornamental grasses planted in planters will nicely compliment your free form pool, and if you don’t already have rock features incorporated, consider building a few into your landscaping plans. Since Arizona isn’t exactly your tropical paradise the combination of rocks in the landscape and the planters you can keep watered and move to the shade if necessary will achieve the look best.

2. Grecian Pools

Fountains, water bowls and urns are perfect landscaping additions to any backyard that has a Grecian-style pool. Fill urns and pots with plants that deliver bursts of bright colors that resemble colors that can be found throughout the Mediterranean, such as pinks, aquamarine and sunshine yellow.

3. Lap Pools

The basic shape of the lap pool lends itself to a number of creative landscaping and planting ideas. Garden benches or walls with fountains that stream into the pool are always a nice addition. Choose plants and foliage that will support the theme that you’re trying to create in your backyard.

4. Geometric Pools

Geometric pools can be among the most challenging of shapes in terms of landscaping. Given the unique shape of a geometric pool, seeking planters or creating garden spaces with straight lines and crisp edges are a surefire way to compliment your pool. Select plants that will help you build your backyard’s atmosphere.

5. Figure “8” Pools

Bringing in rocky elements and features and fountains can create a balanced landscape for figure “8” shaped pools. Many homeowners will create one half of the figure 8 to be surrounded in lush plants and fountains while creating a seating and dining area on the opposite end.

6. Kidney Shaped Pools

A kidney shaped pool naturally lends itself to showcasing a “statement piece” in your backyard. Place planter or detailed fountain that matches the tone of the garden within the curve of the pool, or consider building a spa or creating shaded seating in that spot.

7. “L” Shaped Pools

Often placed in a corner of the backyard, the landscaping around the pool should compliment the hard lines and sharp corners of this pool. Consider having one side of the pool feature one kind of foliage – such as cedar shrubs and rectangular planters – while the other side has different plants, such as ornamental grasses of varying colors and shades.

Shasta Pools is a Phoenix pool builder who provides a variety of services including swimming pool remodeling, commercial pool building, and pool service and repair. Since its establishment in 1967, Shasta has helped over 80,000 families realize their dream of pool ownership. By providing exceptional value, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service, the Shasta team continues to fulfill the corporate mission of astonishing and delighting their customers and exceeding expectations. You can learn more about Shasta Pools & Spas by visiting them online, or by connecting with them on Facebook or Twitter.